Electric means for the separation of suspended matter from gaseous fluids



. E. MULLER. ELECTRIC MEANS FOR THE SEPARATION OF SUSPENPEI) MATTER FROM GASEOUS FLUIDS.

- APPLICATION FILED "AR. 7, I912.

1,362,128. V Patented Dec. 14,1920.

3 SHEETSSHEET I.

E. MULLER.

ELECTRIC MEANS FOR THE SEPARATION OF SUSPENDED MATTER FROM GASEOUS FLUIDS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR- I912.

1,3 2, j Patented Dec. 14, 1920;

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

HUM,

E. MOLLER.

ELECTRIC MEANS FOR THE SEPARATION OF SUSPENDED MATTER FROM GASEOUS FLUIDS. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 7. 1912.

1,362, 128, PatentedDec. 14, 1920.

3 SHEETSSHEET3- W I hga 1.... If i'.

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I umreo 'STJA-TESJ' P ATE I Enwm MoLLnn, or nnaexwnnnennmem, nssienon, BY MESNE nssreniannr'sfro l THE CHEMICALFOUNDATIOIQING, A; CORPORATION O]? =DELAWARE;

' ELECTRIC means Fen. THE SEPARATION or SUSPENDED MATTEIt' anon-ensues stems.

Specification of Letters Patent. 'Pafented 14, 1920.

Application filed March 7, 1912. Serial No. 682,331.

Brackwede, Germany, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric 'Means for the Separation of Suspended Matter from Gaseous Fluids, ofwhich'the following is a specification.

This invention relates to means for elec-v tric separation of suspended matter from fluids, especially from gases, by means of charging electrodes which through certain.

parts of the surface hereafter called 9 ionizing parts act to charge the suspended pa1 ticles,- and electric field surface elements or electrodes, which; operate as collecting or.

precipitating ticles.

One obj ect means for the charged parof the invention is to provide means for keeping the ionizing parts clean,

by preventing suspended or, other matter contained inthe gases to be treated, from depositing on the ionizing parts. This I effeet by introducing a protective fluid, for example a layer thereof, between the ionizing member and the space containing the gas to be treated. This protective .fluid'layer may be constituted by a portion of the gas being treated, and from which the injurious substances are deflected or removed by a screen, or the protection may besecured by a protective fluid supplied at a suitable point and in the proper direction and quanof the invention, in which the ionizing electrode consists of a wire, the electrical con- "nections being shown diagrammatically;

tity.

The invention is preferably ca'rried out; 'with linearly-extending electrodes formed as fine wires and held taut by suitable tensioning means, and this invention comprises means for cleaning such electrodes in case 1Il]l1I101lS deposits are formed thereon.

. Another object of the invention is to pre-, vent the suspended particles from being carried past or along the collecting electrode by reason of the high velocity of the gas being treated. For this purpose I place the col-' lecting electrode in a recess or catch cham- 'ber, whose walls, by means of their position relative to the direction of the current, re-

duce the velocity of gas near the electrode.

and prevent the deposited material from being carried along in the direction of flow, said chamber having the necessary openings for access of the gas and of the electrified particles to such chamber.

A further object of the invention. is to provide for concentrating and-increasing the strength of the electrostatic field-- in a zone at a certain distance in front of the collecting electrode, so as to overcome the tendency of the deposited particles to berepelled from such electrode by a reverse charge. In connection with the catch chamberfor the electrode, this local strengthening field action is preferably at the opening of such "catch chamber, which establishes communication between the catch chamber and the electrostatic field, so asito more effectively withdraw the suspended charged particles from the current of gas flowing rapidly past such opening.

Another object of the invention is to pro- Vide auxiliary field producing means for reinforcing the action of the charging electrode, in causing migration of v the suspended particles.

This inventionalso provides for controlling the potential at different parts of the Fig. 1 represents a perspective view of an assembled apparatus ofthe type of Figs. 1

and 2;

Fig. 2 is a section, on line 22 in Fig. 1, some of the parts being broken away;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section of another embodiment of'theinvention, with an ionizing member in'the form of a pointed member;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view, somewhat diagrammatic, of a form of the invention in which the ionizing means comprises a plurality of adjustable pointed members;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view and Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a form of the invention in which the ionizing means consists of apervious member and is provided with means for forcing protective fluid therethrougli;

. Fig. 7 is a vertical section of a form of the invention in which the ionizing electrodeis movable to provide for mechanical cleaning thereof, and in which the collecting electrode is constituted by a fluid;

Fig. 8 is a section on line 8-8 in Fig. 7. Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, 1 designates the ionizing electrode and 2 the collecting elec- 'trode,-said electrodes being mounted on walls or supporting members 13 and 16 respectively,which may beof insulating material.

The ionizing member 1 preferably consists of a fine wire held taut by suitable tensioning means such as spring 7 and weight 8, and

supported on suitable'means such as the wall- 13- which may or may not be a part of a vessel or chamber confining the fluid to be treated. I prefer 'to make the ionizing part 1 and its supporting means adjustable relative to the opposing electrode and for this purpose carriers 112 for said electrode are be connected to oneof the carriers by adjusting me'anssuch as screw 9, for regulating the tension of said electrode. 7

' It is desirable, in some cases, to provide for removal of matter deposited on the ionizing electrode 1. In case such matteris volatile or otherwise removable by heat, such removal may conveniently be effected by passing'an electric current .through the electrode to'heat the same. For this purpose I provide a circuitincluding a battery 11 or other source of current, switches 12, 12,- regulating resistance 100, and wires 101, 102 leading to the carriers 112 so that by closing said switches, current may be caused'to traverse electrode 1 and to heat the same sufliciently to, remove deposited'material.

. sulated, or as shown forming the protective Adjacent to and at the side or rear of the ionizing electrode 1, are auxiliary electrodes 3 '(Fig. 2) which serve to strengthen the electrostatic field, and whose potential may be controlled by the ionizing electrode, said auxiliary electrode being, for, example, in;

fluid inlet. The potential of these electrodes deflector 4 (Fig. 1) is provided in the path may be controlled by 'an independent, ad-

ju'stable, voltage regulatingdevice 27 (Fig.

1 or Fig. 1'), wires 105, 106 leading to the electrodes 1 and 3 from parts of said device 27 at different potential.

- For protecting the ionizing electrode 1, in a general way from the deposition of-material from the gas being treated, a screen or of the'incoming gas, to deflect the current of gas away from the ionizing electrode.

This screen is shown as formed on and corn *6 nected to (Fig. 2) auxiliary electrode 3. If

1,'se2,12e

desired, however, general protection may be secured by directing the gas to be treated into the ionized field, through an outlet means, soas to concentrate the flow of gas in a zone removed from the-ionizing electrode and at the same time from the collectin electrode;

.or more definite protection of the ionizing electrode 1 from suchdeposition, outlet means 6 for protective fluid are provided adjacent to said electrode, communicating with supply pipes 5, through which suitable clear protective fluid is'forced to cause the electrode 1 to be surrounded by such fluid and thereby protected from the suspended matter in the gas beingtreated: Such clear protective fluid may consist of a portion of the gas which has previously been purified in the apparatus, or of compressed air or steam, as hereafter referred to. As a matter of convenience the outlet means 6 are shown in Fig. 2 as formed on the auxiliary electrodes 3, which may be hollow or chambered, as shown, to establish connection between the pipes 5 and said outlet means.

The collecting electrode or field surface is divided into parts, for example, an'inner or c'entralpart, 2, and an outer part 2 surrounding the part 2, (Fig. 2) said electrode parts being shown separated at the outlets 18, and insulated from one another, and respectively connected by wires 28 and 28 to thevoltage regulating device 27, so as to maintain, preferably a higher potential on the outer electrode portion 2. Said electrode portions 2 and 2'. are mounted on suitable insulating or insulated .supports 16.

To prevent the charged particles from being carried or forced away from the collecting electrode, either by reason of the velocity of the gas being treated, or by reason of the repulsion of the particles from said electrode, due to reversal of the charge of said electrode,-I provide both mechanical and electrical means for holding or forcing the suspended particles toward the collecting electrode. The mechanical means consists of a collecting or catch-chamber 15, (Fi 2) having an opening or openings 14 at the ront for access of the gas from the ionizing field and then to said chamber. The collecting electrode portions 2 and 2' are mounted at the back of said chamber, so that the walls .of said chamber act as obstructions to prevent the deposited material from being swept or carried from the collecting surfaceby the current (of gas and give the suspended particles more time for migrating in the electrostatic field. The collecting chamber15 enlarges towardthe collecting electrodes, and

contracts toward its openmg 14, communicating with the stream of gas tobe treated. If the fluid to be treated be unidirectionally conducted by a flue or a duct into the ele:- tric field, the sidewalls of the catch-chamber ing the particles toward the collecting ele ctrode consists of a field-concentrating or constricting surface or member, for example, in the form of sections 31 extending around the mouth or opening 14 of chamber 15, and controlled, as to potential, either by grounding, or by connection by wires 29, 29 to the potential regulating means 27., so as to graduate the potential of said sections, on the one hand toward the precipitating.electrode. and on the other hand, toward the other adjacent parts. These members 31 which may be conducto s or semiconductors, also serve, by'

their electrification, to avoid injurious action in the precipitatlon due to disturbing indirect charges on the parts around the mouth of the chamber 15, which would interfere with the precipitation. A potential regulating means 32 may also be provided directly in the opening 14 of the chamber 15; consisting, for example, of a conducting member surrounding the said opening and controlled, as to potential, in any suitable manner, for example by connection through the wire 29 to the potential regulating means 27 Means are preferably provided for producing jets of insulating fluid adjacent to the collecting electrode, to maintain the precipitating action. For this purpose the supporting member 16 has a conduit 17 for permanent or intermittent supply of fluid, connecting with outlets 18 between the electrode portions 2 and 2 preferably. of annular shape, so as to produce jets of'fluid for breaking any bridges that may form between the field surfaces. Conduit 17 may also comr municate with outlet passages 19 adjacent to thefield constricting or regulating surfaces 31 to supply jets of fluid so as to-remove de- L positedmatter therefrom. Passages 19 are separated by bridge portions 20. The catchchamber 15 may have an opening 104, indicated. in dotted lines in Fig. 1, for removal of the collected particles.

The main electrification zone of the suspended'particles to be precipitated is preferably located near the place where the field is most constricted or concentrated, and in general, it is advantageous to make this zone' coincide with the part of the field where the velocity of the fluid is at a maximum, this being effected by placing the field-constricting surface at the opening of the catchchamber.

By providing a nozzle-like surface it is possible to screen'the-mediumto be purified not only on one hand from the ionizing member and on the other hand from the separat- G5 ing field surface, but also from escaping in not be electrically conducting and which are assumed to be suitable insulating bodies are shown with heavy section lines, while the parts section-lined in the usual way are assumed to be conductors. The insulating bodies can be in most cases replaced. by corresponding insulated bodies. The arrows without feathers represent the direction of flow of the fluid to be treated, while the arrows with single features represent a dynamically active protective fluid or a bridgedestroying jet.

The operation is as follows: The gas which is to be purified is introduced between the ionizing electrode 1 and the catch-chamber 15, the velocity of the gas being reduced or minimized adjacent to the ionizing electrode by the deflector 4 or by the directing of the current of gas by a nozzle supply means. The ionizing electrode produces a discharge into the gas and the particles suspended in the gas are thereby charged and are forced away or "caused to migrate from the said electrode by the electrostatic field set up by the electrode 1,- aided by the auxiliary electrode 3. On account of the reduced velocity of the gas near the charging electrode the suspended particles have time to become charged and to be separated by migration, from the gas before such gas reaches the charging electrode, thereby minimizing the deposition of matter on such electrode. Near the mouth of the catch-member 15,the gas is moving more rapidlyand it is therefore important that a stronger electrostatic action should be exerted on the particles in this rapidly moving current to prevent their being carried past the collecting electrode. this stronger action being effected by the charged field-constricting surface 31 which to be pushed laterally off of the collecting surface is resisted by the mechanical obstruction offered by the walls of said chamber, by the electrical obstruction presented 'by'the action of the field constricting sur face 31 and by the relatively high potential .of the outer member 2, all of which tend to concentrate the field toward the center.

- ing and repairing the interior parts of the apparatus; .152 is a source of electricity, for. instance, a low tension alternating current generator; 153 represents a high tension alternating current transformer, the primary coil of which is connected with the generator 152; 154 is a double poleswitch; 155

is 'a double pole rectifying device (suchas' a mechanical rectifier; avacuum rectlfier or valve, a mercury rectifier, etc.,) for convertmg the high tension alternating current produced by transformer 153 into high tension direct current. Evidently it is possible to feed the high tension resistance 27 either with alternating or with direct current by reversing the double pole knife switch 154,

if, in certain cases, one or the other kind of current should be desired. As a rule direct current is preferred.

As will be seen from the drawing, thefront wall of 150 is brokenup in order to show interiorly arranged parts of the suspension separating apparatus and the mem- 'bers 1, 10 and 110 are partially broken away; the members 11,- 12, 100-102, 17-19 are not shown.

The gaseous fluid is indicated by the-arrows introduced within the space between the charging members land the collecting vfield surfaces 2 andv 2 by'means' of a nozzle-shaped screen member or members 4'. The fluid passes a series of charging members of the type 1 and collecting field surface members of the type 2. In Fig. 1 there are arranged, for instance, three members 1 and two members 2 in series with-reference to the direction of the stream of the gaseous fluid. The gaseous fluid first passes the opening 14 and then a second opening 14.'

In front of the opening 14 only one charging electrode is arranged, whereas in front of opening 14' two members 1 are installed. Before the-gases arrive at the opening 14 they are deviated by means of a screen memher of the bafiie-type-4 from the second and third member 1 which is thereby protected in the manner already described in connection with Figs. 1 and 2. The mode of such arrangements may be varied with the local conditions, for example, the number of ion izing members and field surfaces to be arranged m series may be increased if a more complete se aration is desired.

hile in ig. 1 the precipitation is chiefly intended for non-liquid suspended particles,

the use of a well known pointed electrode is preferable, for instance in case of large quantities of bodies and the like condensing on the walls and trickling down.

In order to produce a'uniform ion current layer with such a point-like electrode, the point must be introduced concentrically into and in front of a surface of revolution forming the precipitating surface. The fluid to be treated is introduced as far as possible symmetrically with respect to the axial direction. 4

Such an arrangement is shown in Fig. 3 of the drawing.

The point shaped ionizing'member is designated with the numeral 1'. It is fixed to an adjustable rod 33 connected to a source of electric energy. The rod 33 is surrounded by the auxiliary field surface 3 in the form of a co-axial pipe. Mounted on the pipeis a receptacle 25 containing insulating liquid 26 which is adaptedto be circulated at will as indicated on the drawing by 'double feathered arrows. The receptacle 25 is surrounded by an annular guard 23.

provided with a part 24 near its lower edge where the material running down" the outer surface of annular guard 23 is freed from objectionable electricity. I The annular guard 23 is inserted in one of the walls 13 of the precipitation chamber. Slim 22 are provided in the wall 13 carrying the annular guard 23 through which a protective fluid such as compressed air or steam. introduced through pipe 21 is blown for keeping clean the inner wall of the annular guard 23 and the outer wall of receptacle 25 and also the outer wall of tube 3. 5 isan admission tube to 'tube 3 through which protective fluid such as pure compressed air is, introduced into tube 3. for keeping clean the ionizing member 1. 6 is. the mouth of tube 3' through which the above mentioned current of protective fluid leaves said tube. 2" designates the precipitating field surface. 4" is a protecting member co-axially arranged to ionizing member 1' for protecting the same against the fluid to be treated. which enters from below in a current concentric action of the ion current flowing from the ionizing member 1' tofield surface 2". The ion current formed between-ionizing memher 1 and field surface 2" is preferably produced by charging ionizing member 1 to a suitable negative potential. The precipitating field surface may be charged by connecting with a source of electrical en- Ill conducting duct leading the gases from be- 'ance) 27.

, surface.

low to the catching space is illustrated by Fig. 7 and Fig. 8. v

' Fig. 4 shows a somewhat different construction for the dynamic protection of pointed ionizing parts, the pressure and strength of current of each of which can be independently regulated. This regulation is efl'ected by the combination of a movement of the ionizing parts relative to the field surfaces in the direction indicated by the double-headed arrows, with a'supplementary adjustment of the "oltage by means of the regulating device (resist- Several ionizing parts could be provided with one and the same protective insulating body current 6".

Figs. 5 and 6 show diagrammatically how a well known multipointed ionizing member for example a pubescent, and especially a pervious electrode, can be protected from injurious influences by screening or by supplementary protective fluid from opening 6". The structure illustrated in said figures comprises a pubescent, pervious ionizing member 1" preferably consisting of fabric. v p

The fabric 1" forms a wall of a casing 34 supplied with pure non-conducting fluid introduced through pipe 5. The pubescent, pervious ionizing member. or fabric 1" is screened by two walls 35, 36 forming a.

slit 37- and by a furtherscreen 38, the screens 35, 36 and 38 being connected to a wall of the precipitating room which s again designated 13 as in Fig. 3. 5" indicates the fluid current entering the slit 37 between the-screen walls 35 and '36. The

numeral 2. designates the precipitating field. 20 designates abridge for separating the screen surfaces 35 and36.

The operation of the device illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6 is as follows;

The fluid to be treated-passes between the field collecting surface 2 and the outer" screen surface 38 and the particles con-- tained 'therein are deposited on the surface of the collecting electrode 2 duef-to. the

1 ion current which is formed by the ionizing member 1" and the said field surface 2. The screen wall 38 protects the pubescent ionizing member or fabric 1" from being injured by the current of the impure fluid to be treated. Such protection is completed by the current of protective fluid blown through themeshes of the pervious ionizing member and by the current of protective fluid blown through slot 37. The electrical that of guide 41 by a weight 44 connected to lever 42 by a spring45. 46 and 46 are brushes contacting with the ionizing wire 1 adapted to be supplied with electric energy by conductor 47, the source of electricity and a resistance unit not being illus trated on the drawing.

48 and 49 are two cylinders interconnected between two lower and upper casings 50 and 51. 52 and 53 and 52? and 53 are two sets of protecting tubes arranged co-,

axially to the two branches of the ionizing 'member 1 and the two cylinders 48 and 49 respectively. .54 and 54' are tube like members co-axially surrounding tubes 53 and 53 respectively and provided with petticoats' 55, 55 immersed into insulating sealing liquid 56, 56' respectively, said sealing liquid being inclosed within annular vessels 57 and 57 respectively. The vessels 57 and57" are mounted on cylinders 48 and 49. 58 is a screen for guiding the current of fluid to be treated.- 59, 59' and 60, 60 are insulating annular stoppers inserted between members 57, 54, 57 54 and 54, 53',

54-,53' respectively.- The members 54 and 54' are adjustably supported by insulating stoppers 59, 59 andconnected by conductors;

54 54', respectively with potentialregulating devices not shown on the drawing.

61 and 61 are tubular members inclosing' the tubes 52, 52' and provided with petticoats 62,. 62'. vided with Petticoats 63, 63'. 64, 64' are insulating stoppers between 52, 61 and 52, 61", respectively. 65, 65 are insulating liquid fillings between 52, 61 and 52, 61". 66 is a receptacle containing referably conducting liquid 67 the surf The tubes 52, 52 are pro-i ace of which forms one part of an adjustable se arating field device which is designated 2' 68 is a receptacle on the outside of cylinder 48 connected with the interior of receptacle 66 by pipe 69; 70 is an adjustable overflow in receptacle 68. 71 is the end of a conduit separating field-surface 2'.

i rying drum .39.

forsupplying liquid to receptacle 66. The

. casing of the device isgrounded as indicated at 72 so. that liquid 67 is likewise grounded.

Cylinder49 is also provided with a receptacle for liquid, but in the embodiment shown in Figs. 7 and 8 such receptacle is not grounded. Therefore within, cylinder 49 an annular vessel 73 is mounted filled with insulating liquid 74. The bottom of vessel 7 3 carries an insulating ring 75 forming a support for a liquid receptacle 76 filled with liquid 77 the surface of which forming a 78 is an overflow. 79 is an annular guard connected to the wall of cylinder 49. 80 is a conduit for introducing liquid to be supplied'to receptacle 76. 81 and82 are conduits for circulating liquid through receptacle 73. 83 is a conductor which is insulated from cylinder 49 and connected to receptacle 76. The conductor 83 serves to supply receptacle 76 and the liquid 77 contained therein with electricity so as to charge it up to a suitable potential. 84 and 85 84 and 85 are insulating rods connected with the frame work of the device and carrying the above mentioned brushes 46, 46, and bracket 86 with a scraper provided with wipers of felt 87, 88 which may bemoistened if necessary and embracing the ionizing member 1. 89 is a crank or the like adapted to rotate roller 39 and to displace thereby the ionizing member 1 between the scraper'members 87,88. 90, 90 and 91, 91 are openings in the cylinders 48, 49 for conducting fluid to be treated into and out of said cylinders. 92 and 93 are pipes for introducing fluid into the casings 50, 51; 94,. 95 and 96 are screws for mechanically adjusting the ionizing member 1 with relation to the field surfaces of the apparatus by suitable displacement of -its car- Corresponding adjusting devlces may be provided and preferably are provided for the upper ionizing carrying drum 40; such adjusting means, however,

are not shown o'nthe drawing in order to' avoid complications of same. 97 and 98 are two sets of further adjusting screws for axial adjustment of field surfaces 54, 58 and 54 respectively. The operationof the device isas follows. The fluid to be treated is introduced into cylinders 48, 49 through openings 90, 90 respectivelyand is drawn 01f through openings 91, 91. The path taken by the gas in passing from the inlet90 to the outlet 91 is indicated by the unfeathered arrows as is also the path followed by the gas in passing from inlet-90 to outlet 91'. The path followed in'passing from 90 to91 is as followsf The gas egtering through the inlet- 90 passes out and u Ward past theannular members 61, 62 an 63 between the annular member 52 and the liquid reservoir 66 into the depositing -'chamber above the field collecting field. collecting surface 2".

passes out through the passage between anbetween the annular member 52' and the inner surface of the field surface container 78 into the chamber immediately above the The gas then" nula'ranembers 108 and 54' and thence past I annular member 57 to the outlet 91, The

particles contained in the fluid which are to be separated out are taken up by the separating field surfaces 2" of the annular liquid fillings-67, 77. The separating out of the particles is effected by the influence of the ioncurrent .between the ionizing'memher 1 which is charged to a suitable potential through conductors 47 and 46 and the said separating field surfaces .2' among which that belonging to receptacle 66 is grounded, Whereas that belonging to recep tacle 76 is kept at a suitable potential b supplying it with electrical energy through conductor 83. v

The ionizing member 1 is rendered less liable to injury from the particles within the fluid to be purified by currents of protective fluid driven through pipes 52, 53 and 52, 53 of cylinders 48, 49 respectively. The sealing liquid fillings'56'and65 and 56 and prevent the impure fluid to betreated to commingle with the protective fluid within tubes 52, 53, 52 53, etc. By keeping petticoa'ts or auxiliary field surfaces 58, at a suitable potential, it is possible to direct the ion current between the ionizing member 1;. and the precipitating field surface 2" in any desiredway. Such regulation may be assisted by suitable mechanical adjustment of the members 54, 54.

' For furtherc'ontrolling the ion current the overflow tube may be adjusted as desired. Of course it is possible without departing from the spirit of invention to ground both the precipitating field surfaces 2 '-or to connect both of them with a special source of electrical energy. 7

If notwithstanding the provided means for keeping theionizing member 1 clean it should happen that particles have been depositedthereon from the impure fluid then the ionizing member may be mechanically cleaned by rotating crank 89 through the regulating resistance 100 through leads 101 and 102 with two convenient places of the wire 1. Of course, as the latter shall be rotatable by crank 89 '(Fig. 7) ,the electrical connection of leads 101 and 102 with said points of the ionizing wire is to be effected by two contact brushes 46, 46 or the like, the latter 46 being fixed to the frame by insulators 84!, 85 and bracket'86 in quite an analogous manner as brush 16 is fixed in the manner already described by 8 1, 85, and 86.

A protected catch space is formed between 2' and 79. The circular wall 79, which corresponds to the straight wall 108 of catch space 15 in Fig. 2, is, as well as its outer edge 108 rectangularly positioned relatively to the direction of the gas current for the purpose of reducing the velocity to a minimum within the catch space, situated between 2. and 79.

On the right and left sides of Figs. 7 and 8, the spaces are of different forms. On the left side the parts of the space situatedbetween the separating field-surface 2" and the screen 79 which is in close connection with the exterior wall, are protected against the free passage ,of the 'gas, while on the right side the current of gas in the upper part traverses the catching space situated .between 58 and 66 but in such a manner that the speed of the gas above the fluid 67 is greatly diminished on account of the vessel 66 being placed in front, while with the for-- mation of the catching space on the left side in the case of high velocity of current heavy particles can fly past through the ion current to the catching space; on the other hand the lighter particles are drawn down very powerfully under the influence of the separating field surface 2 which is charged with, special tension; they are subject in the arrangement shown on theright side of the drawing in the case of reduced Velocity above 67 to the simultaneous precipitating effect of gravity by falling intothe liquid.

two modifications were-used.

AsI have already mentioned in my. pending'application Serial No.643568 an auxilii "ineig'hborh0od of theionizing member, that ary-field surface ma be arranged in the i to say surrounded bythe same flui as the latter, to form a spark gap for the purpose of'preventing injury to the latter, and an auxiliary resistance preferably arranged outside of the precipitation room may be put in series to the ionizing'member pr a I correspondingfield surface.-

In Figs. 1 and 3 for example the months 6 and, 6 ofthe auxiliary field surfaces 3 and 3' may serve as protective spark gaps. For this purpose the voltage of the ionizing electrode 1 is regulated, by means of resistance 27 close to and sli htly lower than the potential of the auxi iary electrode 3 and said ionizing electrode 1, with the aid of the adjusting gears 10, may be sufiiciently adjusted so that it lies'in a vertical plane just back of the Vertical plane in which the projecting mouth 6 of the auxiliary electrode 3 lies. Then if sparking occurs the sparks will not be formed between the chargin' electrode 1 and the collecting electrode 2 or 2). but between the auxiliary electrode 3 and the collecting electrode 2 (or 2'), whereby the ionizing electrode 1 is protected from injury due to disruptive discharges since all sparking primarily ,takes place across the auxiliary protective spark gap set up between members 3 and 2 (or 2').

In a similar way, with reference to Fi 7 the ionizing electrode 1 from injury due'to disruptive discharges. In this case the charging of said field surfaces is produced preferably 'by the ion current produced between the ionizing electrode 1 and the inner surfaces of the field electrodes; An electrical connection may be effected by making contact between both members or the field surfaces may be provided with regu-v lation leads, if desired. It is easily understood that the protective spark gap can be arranged separately fromf an auxiliary field surface. 1

In Figs. 1 and 3 the use of protective auxiliary -resistances '27 and 27 arranged in series to fionizingmembers or field surfaces is illustrated again. 3

As will be easily understood,-Fig. 1 and Fig. 3 are modifications of the combined t peshown in Figs. 7 and 8. In particular,

or instance 2",- 4' 3', 13, 26 in Fig. 3, correspopd to 66, 63, 53, 48, 56 respectively in I am aware that in means for electric'separation of particles from insulating fluids it is known to use a system of co-axial especiall-y cylindrical surfaces being formed of a material adapted to receive electrical charges of different high potential and to producev in 'such cylindrical or otherwise shaped chambers electrical discharges.

Therefore I do not claim this generally but what; I claim is:

1., Means for electrical separation of suspended matter from gaseous fluids comprising a charging electrode, a field surface elec-" 'trode, means for directing the gaseous fluid to be treated between said electrodes, and meansfor adjusting the relative position of said-electrodes to vary the distance between them.

2. In an a paratus'for electric separation of suspende matter from gaseous fluids, a

. collecting electrode comprising separate portions and means for maintaining said portions at different potential.

' 3. In an apparatus for-electric separation of suspended matter from gaseous fluids, a charging electrode, a collecting electrode,

and an auxiliary field surface member opposite to said charging electrode and to said collecting electrode and connected to .a regulatable source of electric tension, for influencing the electrostatic action ofthe ion-.

izing electrode.

4'. In an apparatus forlelectric separation of suspended matter from gaseous flIlIClS, a

charging electrode, a collecting electrode,

"and an auxiliary field surface member .op-

posite tosaid charging and collecting electrodes for influencing theelectrostatic 'ac-.

tion of the charging electrode, and means for maintaining on said auxiliary electrode a potential different from those of the charging electrode and of the collecting v electrode.

5. Means for electric separation of suspended matter from gaseous flulds, comprising a charglng electrode, a collecting electrode, and means for directingthe gases in a current extending between but sepa-.

' rated from said electrodes.

6. Means for electric separation of suspended matter from gaseous fluids, comprlscharging electrode, and means for directing fluid free from suspended matter, around said electrode. 9.' In an apparatus for electrlc separation of suspended matter from gaseous fluids,

comprising a charging electrode, a collecting field-surface electrode, and a screen member surrounding, at least partly. the collecting field surface electrode and forming with the same a deposit chamber, said screen bounding an opening of said chamber toward said charging electrode.

10. An apparatus for electric separatlon of suspended matter from gases comprising a charging electrode, a collecting field-sur face electrode, and a screen surrounding, at least partly, the collecting field-surfaceelectrode and forming'with the same a deposit chamber, said screen bounding an opening -of said chamber toward the charging electrode, and said chamber enlarging toward the-collecting electrode. v p

ing electrode.

11. In an aparatus for electrical separa tion of suspended matter from gaseous fluids, a collecting electrode and walls ad-' j acent said electrode'for weakening the gas current velocity near the electrode, a number of said walls being directed essentially rectangularly with relation to the main flow of the fluid current assing in front of and separated from sai collecting electrode.

12. In an apparatus .for electric separation of suspended matter from gaseous fluids, a collecting electrode and walls adj acent such electrode for weakening the gascurrent velocity near the'electrode, a number of edges of said walls being positioned essentially rectangularly with' relation to the main flowof the fluid current passing in front of and separated from said collect- 13. An apparatus for electric separation of suspended matter from gaseous fluids,

- comprising a charging electrode, a field-surface electrode, and a conductor spaced from said charging electrode and from said fieldsurface electrode, to' form a spark-gap for protecting the charging electrode from injury b sparking.

14. n an apparatus tion of suspended matter from gaseous fluids, acollecting electrode comprising a plurality of field-surface sections, and means for maintaining said field-surface sections at difi'erentelectric potential.

15. In an apparatus for electrical separation of suspended matter from gaseous fluids, a charging electrode 1n connection with a flexible 10n1z1ng part consl'stlng of a freely extended essentially smooth wire sufliciently thin,- as to allow from is surface a permanent non-disruptive electric discharge, and being adjacent at more than one point of its freely extended length to bodily surfaces of which the discharge potential is for electric separa higher than the discharge potential of the wire surface.

- 16. An apparatus for electrical separation of suspended matter from gaseous fluids,

comprising a field-surface of'revolution and a charging elect-rode the ionizing part of which having a point-like cross-section, said ionizing part concentrically located with relation to said field-surface of revolution.

17 In an apparatus for electric separation 5 of suspended matter from gaseous fluids, a field electrode, a charging electrode having an ionizing part ofpoint-like cross-section, a tube electrically insulated from and arranged opposite to a projecting edge of said field electrode, said tube surrounding as a protecting jacket-tube said charging electrode, the ionizing part of same being 'dis-.

pl aceable through said tube.

18. An apparatus for electric separation of suspended matter from gaseous fluids,

comprising an ionizing thin wire electrode,

and a collecting field-surface member having a field-surface of revolution coaxially and ionizing wire electrode. 1:

19. An apparatus for electric separation of suspended matter from gaseous fluids, comprising a longitudinal ionizing part, a charging electrode with acollecting fields I surface member having a fields ur face substantially parallel to said longitudinal ioniz ing part. 1

20.. An apparatus for lectricseparation of suspended matter from gaseous fluids,

comprising a charging member, and a. collecting field-surface member, said last named member consisting of a body of liquid having a free surface in the state ofessentially stable equilibrium forming the active separating field-surface.

21. An apparatus for electric separation of suspended matter from gaseous fluids, comprising a charging electrode, meansfor tensioning same,'and a liquid field-surface member having a field electrode in the state of essentially stable equilibrium.

. 22. An apparatus for electric separation ,of suspended matter from gaseous fluids,

comprising a charging electrode, and field electrodes, a cleaning member adapted for cleaning the ionizing part of the charging electrode, said cleaning member beingele trically insulated from the field electrode.

23. An apparatus for electric separation of suspended matter from gaseous fluids,

comprlsing charging, electrodes and field-.-

surf

flexible charging electrode of vibrationdamping means for preventing objectionable.

i oscillations of the said charging electrode.

24. In an apparatus for electric separation of. suspended matter from gaseous fluids, 'a charging electrode ,in connection f of' suspended matter from gaseous fluids,

with an ionizing part, and means for cleang said ionizing part without interruption of its ionizing function. I

apparatus for electric separation 'comprising'a charging electrode having a substantially linear ionizing part, a collectfield electrode a scraper clean said ionizing part, and -means to displace said part and -scraper with relation to each ot er.

.io'f snspende An apparatus for electric separation acefmembers; the combination with a matter from aseous fluids, comprising a charging electro e, a collecting field-surface member, and a scraping device adapted to clean said charging electrode and positioned outside the space where the separation takes place j z 27. An apparatus for electric separation of suspended matter from gaseous fluids,

comprising a charging electrode with an endless flexible ionizing part, means for tensioning the same, and a collecting electrode surface member. V

28. An apparatus for electric separation of suspended matter from gaseous fluids, comprising a flexible ionizing member, an

endless strip, a field-surface member, means for producing an electric discharge between said flexible ionizing member and field-surface, and means for changing the part of said wire from which the discharge of electricity to the field surface takes place.

.- 29. In electric means for separation of suspended bodies from gaseous fluids, a receptacle containing an insulating liquid, said collecting electrode, and means for directingthegases in a current transversely to, an for limiting said current in the direction of,

the longitudinal extension ofathe charging electrode thereby leading the gases to be treated into the strongest portion of the electric field between said charging electrode and said collectingT electrode, and for preventing the gases om escaping beyond the ends of the electrodes in direction of said longitudinal extension.

. v '31. Apparatus for purifying gases com- 7 prising a charging chamber, electrode means therein, a precipitating chamber, electrodes of like polaritytherein, and means of com-- munication' between said chambers of less cross-sectional area than thatof said chambers, the electrode means in one of said chambers being of a different polarity with respect to the electrodes in the other of said chambers.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature '4 inpresence of two; witnesses.

Witnesses" 11 v HENRxHAsPnB,

Wommmm MoLn'nR; 

